Hines surpasses Arana Jr. on final qualifying pass

Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Andrew Hines is the No. 1 qualifier in his class at the 21st annual JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. Hines needed to surpass Hector Arana Jr. in his final qualifying pass on Saturday to get the top spot.

Hines went 6.849 at 194.83 mph in his final pass to claim the No. 1 qualifier.

Andrew Hines is seen here making a pass on Saturday (Photo by the NHRA)

“We had a really good motorcycle today and this track is really good for us, but all-in-all my team is doing a great job and we are feeling good about racing here [on Sunday],” Hines said. “We threw everything we could at the track today, but it all worked out and it’s nice to get down the track so quick.”

Hines will face Cory Reed in eliminations on Sunday. Reed, the No. 16 qualifier, went 7.038 at 189.87 mph on his Team Liberty Racing Buell.

Arana Jr. is the No. 2 qualifier after he went 6.852 at 197.45 mph on his Lucas Oil Buell. He’ll face Marc Ingwersen, the No. 15 qualifier, on his 7.026 at 187.55 mph on his Buell.

Eddie Krawiec, Hines’ Harley-Davidson Pro Stock Motorcycle teammate, is the No. 3 qualifier after he went 6.862 at 194.49 mph on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle. He’ll face Kelly Clontz, the No. 14 qualifier, after she went 7.005 at 191.27 mph on her Steamfitter Local 602 Buell.

Polar Victory Magnum driver Matt Smith is the No. 4 qualifier after he went 6.871 at 194.83 mph. He’ll face Steve Johnson, the No. 13 qualifier, after he went 6.987 at 190.51 on his Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki.

Jerry Savoie, driving the White Alligator Racing Suzuki, is the No. 5 qualifier after he went 6.881 at 193.90 mph. He’ll face Jim Underdahl, the No. 12 qualifier, after he went 6.975 at 192.16 mph in his Suzuki Extended Protection Suzuki.